Anchor for structural joints

ABSTRACT

An anchor for use with structural joints including a body having a substantially uniform cross section, a first end and a second end, the body having at least one aperture formed between the first end and the second end and at least one opening formed adjacent the second end. The body has an embedding portion including the at least one aperture and a protruding portion including the at least one opening. Each aperture receives a first reinforcing member and each opening receives a second reinforcing member. The embedding portion is embedded in a first structural component, the protruding portion protruding exterior of the first structural component. The protruding portion and second reinforcing member are embedded in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component that forms a joint between the first and second structural components.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an anchor for use in concrete forms, and more particularly, is directed to an anchor that is used to strengthen concrete joints.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Load transfer systems are used in the construction industry to transfer structural loads from a concrete pier to a concrete floor slab that reacts the structural loads. Typically, the load transfer systems use retaining members, such as a metal bar, or rebar, to help transfer these loads by casting one portion of the retaining member in the pier and then casting the remaining portion of the retaining member in the floor slab. A problem which commonly occurs is that once the retaining member is cast in the pier, the remaining portion of the retaining member, which is typically up to six feet in length, but can be significantly longer, extends outwardly from the pier and is exposed until it is cast in the floor slab. Since the floor slab may not be poured for an extended period of time after the pier is poured, the exposed retaining members can cause both safety and quality control issues on the construction site.

What is needed is an anchor for use with concrete joints and a method for providing a load transfer system along concrete joints that is easy to perform and which enhances both construction productivity and safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anchor for use with structural joints including a body having a substantially uniform cross section, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body has an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end. The body has at least one aperture formed in the embedding portion and at least one opening formed in the protruding portion. Each aperture of the at least one aperture is configured to receive a first retaining member and each opening of the at least one opening being configured to receive a second retaining member. The protruding portion is configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion, the protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component.

The present invention further relates to a method for providing a load transfer system along a structural joint between at least two structural components. The steps of the method include providing a body having a substantially uniform cross section, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end, the body having at least one aperture formed in the embedding portion and at least one opening formed in the protruding portion; attaching a first retaining member in each aperture of the at least one aperture; embedding the embedding portion in a first structural component, the protruding portion extending from the first structural component; inserting a second reinforcing member in each aperture of the at least one aperture; and embedding the protruding portion and the second retaining member in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component, the juncture between the first structural component and the second structural component forming a structural joint.

The present invention yet further relates to a load transfer system including an anchor, the anchor including a body having a substantially uniform cross section, and a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The body has an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end. The body has at least one aperture formed in the embedding portion and at least one opening formed in the protruding portion. The body has at least one first retaining member, each of the at least one first retaining member configured for insertion in a corresponding aperture. Also, the body has at least one second retaining member, each of the at least one second retaining member being configured for insertion in a corresponding opening. The protruding portion is configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion, the protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component. The protruding portion is configured to react a force directed substantially perpendicular to the length of the body extending from the first end toward the second end.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can be constructed from predetermined lengths of plate stock.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it enhances safety while improving construction efficiency.

A still further advantage of the present invention is it provides an amount of vertical support for a floor when it is installed in a vertical pier.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of an anchor and retaining members of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the anchor and retaining members of FIG. 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of an anchor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of an anchor of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a further alternate embodiment of an anchor of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an embodiment of an anchor used with a concrete joint of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a yet further alternate embodiment of an anchor of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a still further alternate embodiment of an anchor of the present invention.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of an anchor 10 or load transfer system of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The anchor 10 includes a body 11 that is preferably of uniform cross section with opposed ends 12, 14. The body 11 also has an embedding portion 28 and a protruding portion 30 as discussed in greater detail below. Preferably, the embedding portion 28 represents at least about ⅔ of the length of body 11 with the protruding portion 30 having the remainder of the length of the body 11. The length proportions can vary, depending upon the configuration of the body 11. Apertures 16, 18 are formed in the embedding portion 28 adjacent end 14. Each aperture 16, 18 can receive a retaining member 20 that is preferably secured to the body 11, such as by welding or any other suitable securing technique. Similarly, an opening 24 is formed adjacent the end 12 of the protruding portion 30 to receive a retaining member 26. Preferably, the retaining member 26 is V-shaped with a base 32 being located inside the opening 24. In a preferred embodiment to be discussed in greater detail below, the embedding portion 28 of the anchor 10 is embedded and cast in a first structural component, such as a concrete pier 64 and the protruding portion 30 is located externally from the first structural component (see FIG. 6). Preferably, the retaining member 26 is not installed until after the concrete pier 64 is constructed. Once the concrete pier 64 is constructed, the retaining member 26 is installed in the opening 24, and both the retaining member 26 and protruding portion 30 are embedded and cast in a second structural component, such as a floor 66. The junction between the first and second structural components defines a structural joint.

In a preferred embodiment, the body 11 is a segment of rectangular bar stock which simplifies construction of the body 11, i.e., constructing the body 11 by making a single cut at a predetermined length of the bar stock. Additionally, rectangular bar stock provides a plurality of substantially flat surfaces, such as a surface 22, through which the desired apertures and openings can be formed, e.g., 16, 18 and 24.

Retaining members 20 are preferably of metal construction for installation in apertures 16, 18. The retaining members 20 being preferably sized according to the anticipated magnitude of the structural loads. Therefore, it is not required that the retaining members 20 be identically sized. The retaining members 20 are preferably secured in their respective apertures by welding, threading, bonding, deforming the juncture between the aperture and the retaining members or other method known in the art. Alternately, the retaining members may be attached directly to opposite surfaces of the body 11, such as surface 22 and its opposed surface, by welding or by adhesive, and not require the apertures. For example, the retaining members can be specially configured studs, such as those manufactured by Nelson Stud Welding, Inc. of Elyria, Ohio using a stud welding system also developed by Nelson Stud Welding, Inc.

Retaining member 26 is preferably of metal construction for installation in the opening 24. The retaining member 26 is sized according to the anticipated magnitude of the structural loads to be encountered in the structural joint. The retaining member 26 is preferably formed in a V-shape, or hairpin, the base 32 of the V-shaped retaining member 26 preferably being located in the opening 24. Each leg of the V-shaped member 26 is preferably about 6 feet long, although this length can be can be significantly less than or greater than 6 feet, if desired. Preferably, the retaining member 26 is already bent into the desired position prior to insertion in the opening 24. However, if the embedded portion 28 of the body 11 has been embedded in a structural component that has sufficiently cured, it may be possible to insert a straight segment of the retaining member 26 and form the bend in the retaining member 26 after inserting the retaining member 26 in the opening 24. It is to be understood that the preferred bending and installation technique of the retaining member 26 conforms with recognized construction practices, which may vary depending upon the composition of the retaining member 26. For example, if the retaining member 26 is steel rebar, typically the hairpin shape is preformed. Although the base 32 of the retaining member 26 should remain located in or adjacent to the opening 24, especially if the angle between the legs of the V-shaped retaining member 26 is sufficiently small, it may be desirable to position the legs of the V-shaped retaining member 26 with respect to the body 11 so that the legs of the V-shaped retaining member 26 are substantially coplanar with the retaining members 20. When installed in structural components as discussed in additional detail below, this aligned arrangement between the retaining member 26 and retaining members 20 permits an efficient in-line reaction of the structural forces. Such alignment can be maintained by securing the base 32 to the opening 24 by welding, threading, bonding, deforming the juncture between the aperture and the retaining members or other method known in the art, such as supporting the opposite ends of the legs of the retaining member 26.

Referring again to FIG. 6, although it is possible to install (embed) the entire body 11 in one structural component, such as a pier 64, with the legs of the V-shaped retaining member 26 protruding, due to their extended length from the pier 64, this embodiment is less preferred. The legs of the V-shaped retaining member 26 become formidable obstacles, presenting safety hazards and quality control issues until the legs are covered, such as in a second structural component, e.g., a floor. With the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the embedding portion 28 of the body 11 is embedded in the pier 64 and only the protruding portion 30 extends exterior of the pier 64. This installation arrangement permits the retaining member 26 to be installed in the opening 24 just before the floor is poured and thus avoid problems associated with the exposure of the legs of the V-shaped retaining member 26. In addition, by virtue of the protruding portion 30 being embedded in the second structural component, such as the floor 66, the protruding portion 30 can react a vertical force 70 to further strengthen the structural joint between the pier 64 and floor 66. It is to be understood that when the structural joint between two structural components is not oriented vertically or horizontally, the force 70 may not be vertical, but is primarily directed substantially perpendicular to the structural joint when the two structural components are substantially perpendicular to each other. However, when the two structural components are not perpendicular to each other, the protruding portion 30 can react a force 70 that is primarily directed substantially perpendicular to the length of body 11 that extends from end 12 toward end 14.

Referring to FIG. 3, another embodiment of the body 11 includes a pair of openings 24, 50 and three apertures 16, 18 and 52 that are aligned along substantially horizontal centerline 36 of the body 11. Each of the openings 24, 50 are formed in the protruding portion 30 to receive a retaining member, such as retaining member 26 as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the apertures 16, 18 and 52 are formed in the embedded portion 28 to receive retaining member 20 and secure the body 11 in an installed position inside the first structural component.

Referring to FIG. 4, still another embodiment of the body 11 includes a pair of openings 24, 54 and four apertures 16, 18, 56 and 58. The openings 24, 54 are aligned vertically along a centerline 45 in the protruding portion 30. The openings 24, 54 are also formed to receive a retaining member, such as retaining members 26 as shown in FIG. 1. In the embedding portion 28, one pair of apertures 16, 56 are aligned vertically along a centerline 46 and the other pair of apertures 18, 58 are aligned vertically along centerline 47. Additionally, apertures 16, 18 and opening 24 are aligned horizontally along centerline 36 and apertures 56, 58 and opening 54 are aligned horizontally along centerline 38. Each of the apertures 16, 18, 56 and 58 in the embedding portion 28 are formed to receive a retaining member 20 and secure the body 11 in an installed position inside the first structural component.

Referring to FIG. 5, yet another embodiment of the body 11 includes a pair of openings 24, 54 and three apertures 58, 60 and 62. The openings 24, 54 are aligned vertically in the protruding portion 30 along centerline 45. In the embedding portion 28, one pair of apertures 58, 62 are aligned vertically along centerline 46. However, none of the horizontally aligned centerlines for the openings 24, 54 and apertures 58, 60 and 62, that is, respective centerlines 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44, are aligned with each other. Each of the openings 24, 54 are formed in the protruding portion 30 to receive a retaining member, such as retaining member 26 as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the apertures 58, 60 and 62 are formed in the embedding portion 28 to receive a retaining member 20 and secure the body 11 in an installed position inside the first structural component. It is to be understood that the body 11 can have more than two openings in the protruding portion 30 and more than four apertures in the embedding portion 28, and that none of the openings and apertures are required to be aligned with each other about vertical and horizontal centerlines. Additionally, neither the openings or apertures are required to be similarly sized, since the retaining members are not constrained to be similarly sized with each other.

Referring to FIG. 7, a further embodiment of the body 11 includes the protruding portion 30 and respective opening 24 and the embedding portion 28 and respective apertures 16, 18 and 52. However, the body 11 includes an additional protruding portion 48 and an opening 68. In this embodiment, the body 11 can have two protruding portions that each extend exterior of the structural component in which the embedding portion 28 is located.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the anchor or load transfer system in which multiple bodies 11 are aligned so that the same retaining members 20 can pass through corresponding apertures in each of the bodies. The ends of the bodies 11 opposite the retaining members 20 are configured to receive retaining members 26 as previously described.

Although the embodiments show retaining members 20 that extend in a horizontal direction, such as through surface 22 in FIG. 1, it is to be understood that the retaining members 20 can extend through any surface of the anchor body and can be disposed at angles to each other, if desired.

Although the body and retaining members are preferably of metal construction, other materials of sufficient strength and compatibility in an intended application may also be used. That is, while one contemplated use is with concrete structural components, other construction applications requiring structural joint support which do not use concrete may also use the load transfer system of the present invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An anchor for use with structural joints comprising: a body having a substantially uniform cross section, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end, the body having at least one aperture formed in the embedding portion and at least one opening formed in the protruding portion; wherein each aperture of the at least one aperture being configured to receive a first retaining member and each opening of the at least one opening being configured to receive a second retaining member; and wherein the protruding portion is configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion, the protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component.
 2. The anchor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one aperture and the at least one opening are vertically or horizontally aligned.
 3. The anchor of claim 1 wherein none of the at least one aperture and at least one opening are vertically or horizontally aligned.
 4. The anchor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one aperture and the at least one opening are similarly sized.
 5. The anchor of claim 1 wherein none of the at least one aperture and the at least one opening are similarly sized.
 6. The anchor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second structural components is composed of concrete.
 7. The anchor of claim 1 wherein the body is composed of rectangular bar.
 8. The anchor of claim 1 wherein each of the at least one first retaining member are mutually parallel.
 9. The anchor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one first retaining member is disposed at an angle to another of the at least one first retaining member.
 10. The anchor of claim 1 wherein at least one of the body, at least one first retaining member and at least one second retaining member is composed of a metal.
 11. A method for providing a load transfer system along a structural joint between at least two structural components, the steps comprising: providing a body having a substantially uniform cross section, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end, the body having at least one aperture formed in the embedding portion and at least one opening formed in the protruding portion; attaching a first retaining member in a corresponding aperture of the at least one aperture; embedding the embedding portion in a first structural component, the protruding portion extending from the first structural component; inserting a second reinforcing member in a corresponding aperture of the at least one aperture; and embedding the protruding portion and the second retaining member in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprises the step after inserting a second reinforcing member of: aligning at least one second reinforcing member of the at least one second reinforcing member with the body.
 13. The method of claim 11 further comprises the step after inserting a second reinforcing member of: forming a desired V-shape in the second reinforcing member.
 14. A load transfer system comprising: an anchor, the anchor including a body having a substantially uniform cross section, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end, the body having at least one aperture formed in the embedding portion and at least one opening formed in the protruding portion; at least one first retaining member, each of the at least one first retaining member configured for insertion in a corresponding aperture; at least one second retaining member, each of the at least one second retaining member configured for insertion in a corresponding opening; and wherein the protruding portion is configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion, the protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component, the protruding portion configured to react a force directed substantially perpendicular to the length of the body extending from the first end toward the second end.
 15. The load transfer system of claim 14 wherein at least one second body having an embedding portion and a protruding portion is disposed adjacent the body, at least one of the at least one first retaining member being insertable through the embedding portion of both the body and the at least one second body.
 16. The load transfer system of claim 15 wherein each protruding portion of the at least one second body having at least one opening configured to receive a first retaining member.
 17. The load transfer system of claim 14 wherein the anchor further comprises a second protruding portion adjacent the first end, the second protruding portion configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion opposite the protruding portion, the second protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in the second structural component adjacent the first structural component, the second protruding portion configured to react a force directed substantially perpendicular to the length of the body extending from the first end toward the second end.
 18. The load transfer system of claim 18 wherein the first structural component and the second structural component are composed of concrete.
 19. The load transfer system of claim 14 wherein the anchor further comprises a second protruding portion adjacent the first end, the second protruding portion configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion opposite the protruding portion, the second protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in a third structural component adjacent the first structural component, the second protruding portion configured to react a force directed substantially perpendicular to the length of the body extending from the first end toward the second end.
 20. A load transfer system comprising: an anchor, the anchor including a body having a substantially uniform cross section, a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the body having an embedding portion adjacent the first end to be embedded in a first structural component and a protruding portion adjacent the second end, the body having at least one opening formed in the protruding portion; at least one first retaining member, each of the at least one first retaining member connected to the embedding portion; at least one second retaining member, each of the at least one second retaining member configured for insertion in a corresponding opening; and wherein the protruding portion is configured to extend from the first structural component on installation of the embedding portion, the protruding portion and a corresponding second retaining member to be embedded in a second structural component adjacent the first structural component, the protruding portion configured to react a force directed substantially perpendicular to the length of the body extending from the first end toward the second end. 